Rail-joint.



N0. 69,525. I Patntd 1an. 2|, 1902-.

S. BLAIR.

RAIL JOINT.

(Application led May 23, 1901..) (N0 Model.)

l l I l/ /ll//////////////// UNITEDV STATES PATENT FFCE.

SHERMAN BLAIR, OF MOKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 691,525, dated January21, 1902.

Application filed May 23, 1901. Serial No. 61,540. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, SHERMAN BLAIR, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at McKeesport, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inrail-joints, and relates more particularly to that class wherein the useof nuts and bolts is entirely dispensed with.

The present invention has for its object the provision of novel meanswhereby interlocking fish-plates are employed that will form asubstantially rigid rail connection; furthermore, to provide novel meanswhereby the expansion and contraction are provided for in this class ofjoints.

This invention has for its still further object to construct arail-joint of the above class that will be extremely simple inconstruction, strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the'accompanying drawings,

forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals ofreferenceindicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, inwhich- Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of two rails havingattached thereto my im'- prcvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the web of therail immediately below the tread. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective viewof one of the interlocking fish-plates. Fig. 5 is a similar view of theother interlocking fish-plate. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken onthe line 6L (i of Fig. 2.

In the drawings the reference-numeral l indicates the rails, which areof the ordinary construction. In the end of theiweb are formed openings2. On each side of said openings are formed through the web enlargedopenings 3 3.

The reference-numeral 4 represents one of the interlocking fish-plates,carrying on its one face an inwardly-extending projection 5, whichprojection is seated in the recesses 2 2 of the web of the rail. Thesaid interlocking fish-plates carry on each end projections 6, extendinginto the openings 3 3.

The reference-numeral 7 indicates the oppositeinterlocking fish-platecarryinghooked ends 8,whicl1 hooked ends also extend through theopenings 3 3 and engage the end of lthe outer face of the fish-plate 4,forminga locking connection therewith. These hooked ends 8 are formed ofspring-steel or the like in order that they may be given a wedgingaction as they are driven in place and will spring n proper position toengage the outer face of the fish-plate 4, thereby forming a lockingconnection therewith.

9 denotes a base-plate,which may be formed integral with one or both ofthe locking fishplates and adapted to extend beyond the base of therail. This base-plate is secured to the ties in any suitable manner.

The many advantages obtained by the use of my improved rail-joint willbe readily apparent from the foregoing description, taken in connect-ionwith the accompanying drawings.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by-Letters Patent, is-

1. Ina rail-joint, the combination of two interlocking fish-plates, oneof said sh-plates carrying projections on each end and extending throughthe web of the rail, the other of said fish-plates carrying a pair ofhooked portions one on each end extending through the Web of the railandiengaging the outer face of said 'rst-named fish-plate, substantiallyas described.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination of two interlocking fish-plates,upper and lowerengaging faces on said {ish-plates, projections madeintegral with one of said fish-plates eX- tending through the web of therails, hooked IOO plate carrying hooked portions extending through theweb of the rail and engaging the outer face of the first-namedfish-plate, all parts being arranged and operating substantially asdescribed.

4. In a rail-joint, a sh-plate, upper and lower beveled engaging facesthereon, projections made integral with said fish-plate y extendingthrough the web of the rail, a second fish-plate, a base securedthereto, upper and lower beveled engaging faces thereon, hooked portionsmade integral with said shplate extending through the web of the railand engaging the outer face of the firstnamed fish-plate,substantiallyas described.

5. In a rail-joint, the combination of a baseplate, a fish-plate madeintegral therewith, upper and lower engaging faces on said fishplate,hooked portions carried by said lishplate on each end thereof, a secondsh-plate, upper and lower engaging faces thereon, projections carried bysaid fish-plate, the said hooked portions adapted to engage the outerface of said second-named iish-platc, substantially as described. A

In testimony whereof I aflx my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

SHERMAN BLAIR.

